Circlet tying machine



Sept. 4, 1934. R. E. HAYNES CIRCLET TYING MACHINE Filed April 20, 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet l Alnvenfor Z [fi pa e) igzze s Sept. 4, 1934. R E. HAYNES CIRCLET TYING MACHINE Filed April 20, 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invenlor Fade)? I.

a 72 8.9 mt.

flllomey P 1934. R, E. HAYNES CIRCLET TYING MACHINE Filed April 20, 1953 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 Home y nshsnsn w w &

' jlil ienior paerz Efik nz e5 Sept. 4, 1934. R. E, HAYNES CIRCLET TXING MACHINE Filed April 20, 1955 l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 glnvcnfor CIRCLET TYING MACHINE Filed April 20, 1933 7 l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q Inventor I Ra&eriE/$Qy7ze5 flllorney R. E. HAYNES CIRCLET TYING MACHINE Sept. 4, 1934.

Filed April 20, 1953 '10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Inventor jerzzrfiz ms don Sept. 4, 1934.

R. E. HAYNES CIRGLET TYING MACHINE Filed April 20, 1953 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 III Sept. 4, 1934. R. E. HAYNES CIRCLE'I' T YING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 f k m \ENR zaierzz Filed April 20, 1933 Sept. 4, 1934. R E HAYNES 1,972,520

CIRCLET IYING MACHINE Filed April 20, 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 flllorney R. E. HAYNES CIRGLET TYING MACHINE Sept. 4, 1934.

Filed April 20, 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 Eafier/ 217 0 72265 Patented Sept. 4, 1934 OFFICE CIRCLET TYENG MACHINE Robert E. Haynes, Burlington, N. (3., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Fabrics, Incorporated, 1 Kings Mountain, N. 0., a corporation of North Carolina Application April 20, 1933, Serial No. 667,131

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in tying machines and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of this character embodying a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts through the medium of which flexible circlets, rings or bands of suitable material, such as fabric, may be rapidly and securely tied or looped together for forming a strand of any desired length.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a tying machine of the character described which will be simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in operation, com- 15 pact, light in weight and which may be manufactured and operated at low cost;

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specifica- 20 tion, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein'.-

Figure 1 is a view in top plan of a tying machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view, looking at one side of the machine.

Figure 3 is an elevational view, looking at the other side of the machine.

Figure 4 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the machine, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view in vertical transverse section, taken substantially on the line 5,-5of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 1, showing the depressor in retracted or inoperative position.

Figure 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View substantially similar to Figure 6 but showing the depressor in lowered or operative position.

Figure 8 is a view'substantially in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 88 of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a detail view in vertical section through the pair of coacting rollers, taken sub' stantially on the line 99 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a view in top plan, showing the depressor operatively engaged with the work.

Figure 11 is a view in top plan, illustrating how the work is looped or tied together.

Figure 12 is a view in vertical longitudinal see i tion, taken substantially on the line 1212 of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a view in vertical longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line 13-43 of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a detail view in vertical transverse section, taken substantially on the line 14-14 of Figure 1 and showing the spreaders.

Figure 15 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 15-15 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 1616 of Figure 14.

Figure 17 is a detail view in vertical longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line 17-17 of Figure 1, and showing one of the chain and sprocket drive connections.

Figure 18 is a detail view in plan, showing a portion of one of the intermittent drive chains.

Figure 19 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 1919 of Figure 1.

Figure 20 is a view in vertical transverse section, taken substantially on the line 20-20 of Figure 1 showing a portion of one of the intermittently'driven shafts.

Figure 21 is a detail view in vertical transverse section, taken substantially on the line 21-21 of Figure 1.

Figure 22 is a detail view principally in side elevation of one of the feeders.

Figure 23 is a detail view, principally in elevation and partially broken away in section, of one of the feeders, taken at right angles to Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a detail view in perspective, showing one of the vertically slidable feeder fingers.

Figure 25 is a perspective view, showing an end portion of one of the guides.

Figure 26 is a view in front elevation, showing a portion of the cam shaft and the cams thereon.

Figures 27 to 32, inclusive, are vertical sectional 95 views, taken respectively on the lines 2'7-2'7 to 32-32, inclusive, of Figure 26.

Figure 33 is a detail view in perspective of the depressor head.

Figure 34 is a detail view in side elevation of the 100 looper.

Figure 35 is a detail view, principally in side elevation, of the lower jaw of the looper.

Figure '36'is a detail view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 3636 of 105 Figure 35.

Figure 37 is a detail view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 37-37 of Figure3 1'.

. Figure '38 is a detail view in horizontal section,.. 110.

connection 18.

j is mounted on the supporting structure 1.

taken substantially on the line 38-38 of Figure 34.

Figure S9 is a detail view in perspective of one of the elements of the looper mechanism.

Figure 40 is a view in side elevation, showing the depressor in retracted or inoperative position.

Figure 41 is a view in side elevation, showing the depressor in lowered or operative position.

Figure 42 is a detail View in side elevation, showing the looper in retracted or inoperative position.

Figure 43 is a detail view in side elevation, showing the looper moving forwardly for engagement with the work.

Figure 44 is a detail view in side elevation, showing the position of the looper after it has engaged the work and is moving rearwardly to form a loop.

Figure 45 is a plan view, showing a section of a completed strand.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a suitable supporting structure or frame which is designated generally by the reference numeral 1. Journaled transversely on one side portion of the supporting structure 1 is a comparatively short shaft 2 having fixed thereon a multiple pulley 3. The pulley 3' may be driven from any suitable source of power, such as an electric motor (not shown) mounted on the supporting structure 1. Also Journaled transversely on the supporting structure l is a cam shaft 4 which is constantly driven from the shaft 2 by a train of gears 5.

The reference numeral 7 (see Figures 2, Band 4) designates a feeder driveshaft which is jour- A loose sprocket 9 is journaled on the spindles and immediately. adjacent said sprocket 9 is a double sprocket 10 which is also loose .on the spindle 8. A chain 11 is trained over the sprocket 9 and over a sprocket fixed on the cam shaft 4.

Projecting from the inner side of the chain 11 is a lateral extension 12 (see Figure 18) which is engageable with one side of the double sprocket 19 for intermittently connecting said double sprocket to the cam shaft 4 for actuation thereby. Journaled transversely on an upper forward portion of the supporting structure 1 is a shaft 13 which is actuated from the double sprocket 10 by a chain and sprocket connection 14. A drawing roll 15 is fixed on the shaft 13. The reference numeral 16 designates a pair of coacting drawing rolls which are operatively connected with each other for rotation in opposite directions by crossed belt and pulley connections 17. The rolls 16 are driven from the shaft 13 by a chain and sprocket It will thus be seen that the drawing rolls 15' and 16 will be intermittently actuated by the cam shaft 4. The supporting structure 1 includes a horizontal platform 19 upon which a guide roller 20 is horizontallymounted intermediate the roll 15 and the looping mecha nism to be presently described, the work passing un'dertheguide roller 20, then over the roll 15 and between the rolls 16. The reference numeral 21 designates a tightener for the chain '11 which A clearer 22 is mounted on the supporting structure 1 for the lower drawing roll 16.

A chain 23, similar to the chain 11, is trained over a sprocket fixed on the cam shaft 4 and over a loose sprocket on the shaft 7. Fixed on the shaft '7 is another sprocket 6 (see Figure 1) which is engaged by a lateral extension 23 on the chain 23 for intermittently actuating the shaft 7.

The reference numeral 24 designates a pair of spaced, inclined tables which are mounted on the supporting structure 1. Journaled in the supporting structure 1 beneath the forward portions of the tables 24 are inclined shafts 25 which are operatively connected to the shaft 7 by beveled gears 26. The inclined shafts 25 drive pairs of endless feed chains 27 which are mounted beneath the tables 24. Extending between the pairs of endless sprocket chains 27 are brackets 28 upon which fingers 29 are slidably mounted, said fingers 29 being yieldingly urged downwardly by pull springs 80.

As best. seen in Figure 1 of the drawings, the rear inner edge portions of the tables 24 are closely adjacent to each other while the forward portions of said inner edges are spaced a considerable distance from each other. below the inner portions of the tables 24 and beneath the inner flights of the lowermost chains- 27 are inclined channel guides 31 of a curvature 29 as said fingers start forwardly. When moving forwardly, the fingers 29 are engaged, at their lower ends, in the guides 31, said guides thus functioning to cause the fingers to travel closely adjacent the inner edges of the tables 24 when- It may be.

said fingers are moving forwardly. well to here mention that the inner flights of the chains 27 follow substantially the outline of the inner edges of the tables 24. The guides 31 ele-v vate the forwardly traveling fingers 29 against the tension of the pull springs in a manner to cause said fingers to project above the tables 24, the arrangement of the guides relative to the tables being such that, as the fingersapproach the forward portions of the tables where the work is engaged by the looping mechanism, said fingers are lowered to project a comparatively short dis tance above the tables. Mounted on the platform 19 are stripper bars 33 which extend adjacent the forward portions of the inner edges of the tables 24, the fingers 29 traveling between said stripper bars and, the tables. The stripper bars 33 also constitute guides and lateral supports for the upper endportions of the fingers 29. Rising from the inner sides of the forward portions of the guides 31 are guide bars 34'adjacent to which the fingers 29 travel.

The reference numeral 35 designates generally a spreader which is mounted beneath the platform 19. As illustrated to advantage in Figures 14 to 16, inclusive, of the drawings, the spreader" whichare pivotally mounted at an intermediate point, as at 39, on the plate 36 for swinging movement toward and away from each other. The levers 38 are operable vertically and transversely in the forward portion of an opening 49 in the platform 19, said opening 40 being locatedbe tween the forward'portions of the tables 24. The

upper ends of the levers 38 are yieldingly-urged;

away from each other by a compression spring 41. Journaled on the'lower end portion of the plate 36 is a roller 42 which rides on the periphery Mounted.

The spreader 35further includes "a pair of levers 38 of the slot 4'7.

of a compound carn'43 which is fiiiedon-theshaft 4, -The-lower portions of the levers 38..straddle the cam 43 for engagement by lateral enlarge'' merits 44 on said cam 43; A pull-spring'45 is connected with one of the ieve'rs' 38for-yieldingly urging the spreader downwardly in the opening 40. The'construction of the compound cam 43 is such that as the'levers 38 are moved upwardly in the opening 40 to project above'the platform 19, the upper ends of said leversare maintained substantially in engagement with each other against'the tension of the spring 41' by the engagement 'of the enlargements-"44 with the lower ends of the levers. Them-when the levers 38 reach their raised position the enlargements 44 pass the lower end portions of said levers,

permitting the spring 41 to spread the upper endsof the levers. Stated otherwise, the cam- 43 swings theupper ends of the levers 38 together, then elevates 'said levers, then releases the levers to permit the spreading thereof by the'spring 41.

and then permits the spring 45 to lower the evers after the'loop has been formed.

The reference numeral'46 designates generally a depressor which'is mounted on the supporting structure 1 and which is operable in a slot 47 in the platform 19. The depressor 46 includes a pivotally mounted bell crank lever'48 upon'one end portion of which a bar 49 is pivotallymounted.v

A pull spring 50 is'providedfor yieldingly urging the bar 49 rearwardly in the slot 4'7. The bar 49 extends'above the .platform119 andhas mounted substantially horizontally on its upper end a plate 51, said plate being secured to the bar 49 Man Mounted on one end portion of the plate 51 and depending therefrom is a head 52 of substantially U-shapedtran'sverse section which, as illustratedito advantage in Figure 33 of the drawings, comprises pairs of compara :tively long and short legs-53 and 54, respectively;

The other end portion of the plate 51'has formed thereinv an opening 51 in which a guide pin 55 engages when the depressor 46 is-moved vertically, saidguide pin 55 rising from the platform 1 19. It may be well tohere mention that'the head 52 of the depressor 46 is adapted to be lowered into the opening 40 in the platform 19.-between thev levers 38 when said'lever's' are? in raised and spreadposition.

'Journaled on the other end portion of the bell crank lever 48 is aroller .56 which rides on the periphery of shaft 4. A 'pull spring 58 yieldingly'urges the ell crank lever 48 into The construction and arrangement of the depressor' 46 and the cams 5'7'and are such that the .pull spring 50 is permitted to swing the bar 49"rearwardly periodically, the rearward swinging movement of said bar 49 under impulsion'by the spring 50 being arrested by the rear end wall the head 52' is positioned "above the opening 40 andthe levers 38. Then, the cam 57'permits the spring 58 to actuate 'the" bell crank lever 48 in a manner to lower the head 52 mto-the'o'pening 40' .';mained stationary in the opening 40 for a brief a cam .57 which is fixed on the.

operative engagement with the cam 5'7. Projecting from a lower portion of the bar 49is an arm 59 which is operatively engageable by a cam 60 on the shaft 4;

If desired, an adjustable stop may be provided for engagement'with the bar 49. When the bar 49 has been swung'rearwardly otally mounted on the supporting structure 1- beneath the shaft 4. Projecting laterally from the lever 62 is an angular arm 63 which rides 'on the periphery of a cam 64 on the shaft 4. Pivotally mounted on the lever 62 is an angular-bar 65 which is operable in the opening 40 of the platform 19. Projecting from the upper end of the bar 65 is a stationary jaw 66. A pull spring 6'7 is provided for yieldingly urging the angular bar 65 forwardly and upwardly. The spring 6'7 also constitutes means for maintaining the angular arm 63 in engagement with the cam 64. The reference numeral 68 designates a cam on the shaft 4 which is engageable with a roller 69 on the bar 65 for actuating said bar rearwardly against the tension of the spring 67.

The looper 61 further includes an inner jaw '70 which is slidably mounted on the bar 65 and which is opposed to the stationary jaw 66. The slidable jaw 70 is integral with a shank '71 which is slidably secured on the bar 65 by suitable guides '72. Pivotally mounted on the lower'portion of the shank 71 is a lever '73 on the free end portion of which a roller '74 is journaled, said roller "74 being engageable by a cam '75 on the shaft 4. A rod '76 is pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the lever '73 and extends slidably through a guide '77 which projects from the shank'7l. A compression spring '78 is mounted on the rod '76 and has one end engaged with an enlargement on said rod and its other endengaged with the guide '77 for providing a resilient oryielding connection between the cam '75 and the slidable jaw '70. This results in the work being yieldingly gripped between the jaws 66 and '70 of the looper 61. The slidable jaw 76 has extending thereinto from its free end a slot '79, the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

Downward movement of the lever 73 under mentof .the angular bar 65 under impulsion by the spring 67. The spring 6'7 is connected to the bar 65 through the medium of a laterally pro- .jecting pinv 82 with which the stop 81 is engageable, as best seen in Figures 5 and 44 of the drawings. Briefly,

follows With the levers 38 in raised and spreadposi' tion, as seen in Figure 14 of the drawings, and with the depressor 46 and the looper 61 in their the operation of the machine is as respective inoperative or retracted positions, a

strand of. previously connected circlets, bands or rings is threaded between the rolls 16, overthe I.

roll 15, then beneath the guide roller 20 and the circlet on the rear end of the strand is engaged over the levers 38, as suggested in Figure 10 of the drawings. Then, the circlets to be connected are stretched between the opposed fingers 29 in a manner to traverse the platform 19. The machine is now ready for operation. When power is applied to the pulley 3 the fingers 29 move forwardly to position one of the circlets, which are designated by the reference numeral 83, above the circlet that is about sition the jaws 66 and .swung together. As the jaws draw the levers 38 and movement of ceases. then downwardly, the pairs of legs 53 and 54 engaging the front and rear flights or portions of the fingers then said portions into the opening 40, the front portion of the circlet being engaged in the previously tied circlet which is engaged with the levers 38. This is best seen in Figure 12 of the drawings. It will thus be seen that the comparatively long rear legs 53 of the head 52 press the rear portion of the circlet that is about to be tied below the front portion thereof.

position. The rear portion of the circlet to be tied engages in the slot 79 of the slidable jaw 70 and, when the compartively high forward portion of the circletto be tied is between the jaws, as seen in Figure 12, the slidable jaw work. Prior to the closing of the jaws onthe work, the head 52 begins to move upwardly out' of engagement with the work. As the head .52 continues toward its retracted or inoperative potherebetween, are raised from the position shown in Figure 12 of the drawings to that illustrated in. Figure 13 and said jaws then move rearwardly and the drawing rolls l and 16 are actuated for feeding the strand forwardly, thus tightening the loop which has been formed. After the jaws have closed on the work, the fingers move forwardly beyond the ends of the guides 31 and are pulled downwardly by the springs below the tables r 24, thus causing the work to be stripped from As the closed jaws, with the work;

said fingers. clamped therebetween, rise to the position shown in Figure 13 of the drawings, the levers 38 are lowered in the opening 40 and said levers are then the loop which has been formed rearwardly, the in the opening 40 until they project outwardly through the other to spread the loop and the jaws release the loop. These latter movements of the levers 38 and the jaws take plac taneously. The circlets have thus been incorporated in the strand and are retained on the the next circlet has been tying and the foregoing levers 38. By this time drawn into position for operation is repeated. The work is placed on the comparatively closely spaced rear end fingers 29 are substantially in side abutting engagement with each other, as seen in Figure 1. It is only necessary that the circlets be placed around the abutting pairs of the fingers. Then, as the fingers move forwardly and away from each other, the circlets are stretched to an elongated shape and carried forwardly under tension. If desired, any suitable means may be provided for feeding the material to the machine. Figure of the draws ings illustrate a section of a completed strand which is designated by the reference character S.

It is believed machine constructed in accordance with the press ent invention will be readily understood, and

although the preferred embodiment of the inven- 'tion is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details ofcon-' The depressor 46 swings rearwardly and to be tied and depresses The looper 61 then swings forwardly in its lower position and with 1 the jaws 66 and 70 in open 70 is moved upwardly to clamp'the flexible circlets comprising asupporting structure,

'20, with the work clamped.

levers 38 rise,

loop which is still secured by the. jaws. Then, the levers 38 swing away from each e substantially simul-,

portions of the tables 24 at l which point the adjacent that the many advantages of a struction; andin the combination and arrange ment of .parts may be resorted to which wilifall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

; 'Whatis claimed is:-,

A tying machine for forming strands from circlets comprising-a supporting structure, means onthe supporting structure for retaining a circlet, and means on thesupporting structure for loopingvanother circlet through the first-named circlet forconnectingthe circlets together.

2. Atying machine for forming strands from flexible circlets comprising a supporting structure, meansv on the supporting structure for retaining-a circlet, means on the supporting structure for loopinganother circlet through the first-named circletforzconnecting the circlets together, and means on.-the supporting structure for delivering the second-named circlet to the looping means.

.3.A tying machine for forming strands from a shaft rotatably .mounted on the supporting structure, means .on the supporting structure for releasably securinga circlet in substantially extended position,- means operatively connecting the circlet securing means to the shaft'for intermittenta'ctuation thereby, means for looping another circlet through the first-named circlet for connecting-thej circlets together, means operatively connecting the looping means to the shaftfor intermittent: actuation thereby, means for delivering the second-named circletto' the looping means, means operatively connecting the delivering means. to the" shaft for intermittent.actuation thereby, means for moving the strand away from the.- looping means, and means operatively connecting the strand moving means to the shaft for actuation thereby.

4..A tying'machine forforming strands from circlets. comprising a supporting structure, means for securing a circlet in position on the supporting structure, meanson'the supporting structure for deliveringa ciroletfito be tied to a positionadjacent the first-namedpirclet, means on the supporting. structure for looping the circlets together, and means .for. intermittently actuating each of the aforementioned means.

5. A machine for tying circlets to'form a chain comprising: a knotting device, and feed means for feeding circlets to said knottin'g device, said knotting device being adapted to tie said circlets together successively as they are fed to form said circlets into a chain.

another-circlet through the first-named circlet for connecting the. circlets together, means .for moving the first circlet to distended position, means for-distending. the second circlet transversely of the firstcirclet so that one side of the second circlet is disposed above one end of the first. circlet, means for depressing the second circlet-intermediate its ends so that one portion is projected through the first'circlet and the other portion is depressed to a greater degree than the first portion, and means movable over the said other portionto engage the first portion and draw it above the said other portion and below the first circlet tothereby loop the two circlets together.

ROBERT E. HAYNES.

retaining a-circlet, 

